Closure for bottles and other receptacles



A. C. LATHROP.

CLOSURE FOR BOTTLES AND OTHER RECEPTACLES. APPLICATIONIILED MAR-14,1918.

1,348,014. Patented July 27,1920.

INVENTOR Awa 6. Lat/1mm WITNESSES ATTORNEY UNITED STATE -ANDREW' C.LA-ZIJ'I-IROTE, 0F YANTIC, CONNECTICUT.

CLOSURE FOR BOTTLES AND OTHER RECEPTACLES.

' Specification of Letters Patent. Patented July 27, 1920.

, Application filed March 14, 1918. Serial No. 222,418.

T 0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ANDREW C. LA'rHnor, acitizen of the United States, residing at Yantic, in the county of NewLondon and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Closures for Bottles and other Receptacles, of which thefollowing is a specification. I

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in bottle closuresand more particularly to the type which is impossible to replace to itsformer position in the bottle neck, thereby providing means for thedetection of an unauthorized opening of the bottle. V

An important object of my invention is to provide a device having itsparts constructed of such irregular shape thatit will be practicallyimpossible to correctly position all the various parts to theirrespective positions after they have been disassembled to. allow thedispensing of the contents of the bottle. 7

Another object of my invention is to pro vide a device including meanswhereby one part of the invention will be securely held in the neck of abottle with its upper portion flush with the top edges of the bottleneck thereby preventing unauthorized persons from removing said partfrom the neck of the bottle.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device which is strong,durable, inexpensive to manufacture, and is ellicient in practice. 2

Other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent during thecourse of the following description.

. In the accompanying drawings forming a part of the description andwherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughoutthe same,

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a bottle with my invention appliedthereto.

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view from the upper portion of a bottleand my invention in its proper position in the bottle neck.

Fig. 3 is a bottom plan View of the retaining member.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the stopper, and

Fig. 5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

In the drawings wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown apreferred embodiment ofmy invention, the numeral 1 designates the bodyportion of an ordinary bottle, having its neck 2 provided with internalscrew threads, at the lower end of which the neck is provided with aplurality of circumferential notches 3 as more clearly shown in Figs. 2and 5. p

A retaining member 4 is externally screw threaded for engagement withthe threaded neck of the bottle, and is adapted to be screwed into saidneck until the top of this part is flush with the top. edges of theneck. This arrangement prevents the removal of the retaining member byunauthorized persons. The member 4 is provided with a circular bore 5extending from the bottom thereof and gradually diminishing in diameteras at 6 adjacent the top of said bore. The bore through the top of thismember is not circular in cross-section as at its lower parts, but issquare as at '7 for a purpose which will presently, appear. An airopening 8 is provided in the top of this retaining member andcommunicates with the tapered portion 6 of the bore, for admitting airinto the bottle while the contents are be-. ing dispensed. In the outerperiphery of the member 4:, adjacent its lower end, I provide a recessor notch 9 having one of its walls-arranged radially of the member 4 toprovide the seat to which I solder a flat spring 10 with its outer endprojecting beyond the periphery of the retaining memher for engagementwith the notches in the neck of the bottle, thereby preventing reverserotation of the retaining member after it has attained its properposition in the neck of the bottle.

Adapted to operate in the bore through the retaining member, is a corkstopper 11, and is of such configuration and size that it will be snuglyreceived in said bore. The upper part 12 of the stopper is made squarein cross-section 'and is adapted to extend through the opening 7 in thetop of the rectangular member and project a substantial distance beyondthe top thereof. It .will be noted that the tapered portion of thestopper normally closes the air opening 8 and prevents admission of airinto the bottle.

In operation the retaining member to gether withthe stopper 11 in-itsproper position, is screwed down into the neck of the bottle until thetop of said member is flush with the top of the bottle neck, and thespring 10 engages one of the notches 3. It

" in the retaining member.

will -now be impossible to remove either member since reverse rotationof the'member t is preventedby the spring 10 in engagement with itsrespective notch and the largest portion ofithe stopper is'beneath theopening 7 and is in close engagement with theupwardly converging walls 6ofthe bore a When it is desired to empty the contentsofthe bottle,-thestopper 11 is forced inwardly by pressing -upon theportion 12 until itis entirely dis- --engaged-f;roi1rthe retaining member. Thlsoperation-also uncovers the air inlet-opening -8 and permits air toenter. the bottle and facilitate ready dispensing of the contents. Byreason of the irregularity in shape of the stopperand its seat or borethrough the retainingmember,the contents will readily passthrough-theretaining member to make its exit. It will -be seen that it is'quit-e'impossible'to replace the stopper 11, since it would be ataSktoget :the squared "portion "12 into alinement with the squared openingin'the retaining member so that this'portion could be pulled throughsaid opening 'for 'Havingdescribed my invention I claim: 1. A closureincluding a retaining member having a -circular bore :therethrough, the

upper walls of said bore converging upwardly, athe tuppermostlend ofsand bore being square, and a buoyant stopper having its bodyportion thesame shape as saidbore to be snugly received therein, the upper portion'ofsaid stopperbeing square to be engaged by the square portion oftherbore, and extendedthereabo've. I p

2. In combination with a bottle,'of a re- :taining member securedtothe'neck thereof and having a round boretherethrough, the

upper: walls vof said bore converging upwardly to form a .;restrictedpassage, the upper end oi? restricted passage being square, andastopperof the same shape as the bore and restricted passage to besnugly received-therein, when the bottle is sealed.

In combination-with a bottle neck, a retalning member having a 7 boretherethrough,the upper walls ofwhich converge upwardly, said memberbeing further provided with an air opening which terminates attheconverging portion ,ofthe bore, and a Stopper having. a portion thereoftapered to fit the converging portion of the bore to air opening whenthe bottle is close "the sealed. r I

Intestimony whereof IafliX' my signature in presence oftwo Witnesses.

- ANDREW G. LATHROP.

WVitnesses':

ARTHUR F. .WVYMAN, CHAS/WV. GALE.

